Conveyer for grain-binders



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

w E. HILLS & 0. KROMER. GONVBYER FOR GRAIN BINDERS.

N0..540,313. Patented June 4 1895.

ETERS on. vnor c-Ln'nowwnsnmafou u c Unitas STA-mas PATENT Fries."

WILLIAM E. HILLS AND orro KROMER, or sANn sKY, oI-IIo.

CONVEYER FOR GRAIN-BINDERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 540,313, dated June 4, 1895.

Application filed anal ze, 1894.. Serial No. 498,405. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM E. HILLs and OTTO KROMER, citizens of the United States, residing at Sandusky, in the county of Erie and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oonveyers for Grain-Binders, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention consists in the construction of a conveyer for grain-binders, and particularly in the construction of a support for otherwise unsupported sections of the conveyer belt, and further in the peculiar construction, arrangement and combination of the various Darts. I

The object of the invention is to effect a steady flow of grain to the binding or tying apparatus without danger of stopping or slipping of the carrier belt; further to obviate the necessity of adjusting the belt in wet or dry weather, and further to reduce the friction and therefore the power required to drive such belts.

We have shown our invention as applied to what is known as the three apron style of carrier in which a horizontal carrier takes the grain from the cutter and carries it to two elevator belts which lead to the bundle forming mechanism, but we wish it understood that it can be applied as well to other forms or styles of elevators. We have also shown two chains applied near the ends of the rollers,

but it is evident that one chain may be used or more than two if desired.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central longitudinal section through the platform and elevator of a grain-binder embodyingour invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through one of the conveyers or elevators. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through one of the conveyer shafts or rollers. Fig. at is a section on line 'y y, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing one manner of connecting the ends of the canvas to the chain. Fig. 6 is a central section through the carrierbelt, showing the peculiar construction of the intermediatesupportforthecanvas. Fig. 7is a plan view of the rollers with the intermediate support, the chain and canvas being removed. Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the construction of the canvas-supporting bar.

Fig. 9 is a detached perspective view of the parts forming the cleat or conveyer-bar on the belt.

A is the frame of the machine.

B is the platform conveyer and C the elevator conveyers of a grain binder of any desired construction. At the end of each 0011- veyer are the shafts or rollers D D, one or both of which may, as desired, be driven from any suitable connection from the drive shaft on the machine. \Ve prefer to drive but one roller of each conveyer and have shown the roller D of each conveyer adapted to be driven. On this roller, preferably away from the end, we form a contracted portion E, by cutting a groove in the roller and on this contracted portion or neck we secure a sprocket wheel F, preferably made in sections, as shown in Fig. 2, the teeth of this wheel preferably being sunk below or flush with the outer face of the roller. On the roller D we form complementary contracted portions G forming bearings in which the sprocket chain H may run but without the sprocket wheel, the portion G being of proper diameter so that the chain in running around the roller will be countersunk below or flush with the face thereof. If the roller D is to be driven, we provide the contracted portion G with suitable sprocket wheels or teeth. It is evident if the roller D be driven, the chain I-I will be driven in the usual way. o prefer to arrange two chains, one near each end of the rollers, as we find this gives the best results, butas previously stated We do not desire to be limited to this arrangement. Either or both of the rollers may be journaled in spring actuated sliding boxes, shown at G to take up any slack in the chains which may arise from any cause. Around the chains and rollers thus constructed and combined we secure a carrier belt I, preferably of canvas or rubber belting and of a width to extend across the rollers, and having its edges rest on the guide ways J at the ends of the rollers. This belt is secured to the chain or chains, so that when the chain is driven, the belt will be carried therewith and act as the carrier for the material thereon. The belt may be secured to the chain or chains detachably or fixedly, or it may be secured only at one point or at a number of points as desired. The construction, which we prefer, however, is shown in the drawings and comprises a cross bar K to which one end of the canvas is secured and which is detachably secured to the chains, in any suitable manner.

We have shown the chains provided with a link having a raised central portion L, provided with a pin L passing through the crossbar K and secured in position by a spring pin, or in any other suitable manner.' The canvas being passed around the rollers, its other end is secured to the bar or to the cam vas by suitable adjusting straps L or in any .other suitable manner.

The canvas may be, and preferably is, arranged quite loosely about the rollers, the load or work keeping the working side taut, even if the other or return side is quite loose, as shown in Fig. 2. The canvas lies upon and is carried over the rollers without wear or friction on the chain, which as described is countersunk below the face of the rollers. This arrangement of canvas in which the driving is done by the chain, the canvas be,- ing left comparatively loose, is free to take up any shrinkage or unevenness arising from any cause. The unsupported portions of the canvas, whether at the ends or middle, we preferably support against sagging or bagging by providing thesupporting bar or bars M, shown in detail in Figs, 6, 7 and 8, having an eye M formed at one end to embrace a contracted or grooved portion N of one roller. Its other end may be left straight to rest in a similar groove in the other roller.

In the construction shown in Fig. 7 in which one or both of the rollers are provided with spring supporting boxes, one end only of the bar should be provided with the eye M, but where the rollers are journaled in stationary boxes both ends may be provided with such eyes if desired. The canvas is provided with suitable cleats or ribs. These we preferably form by making loops 0 in the canvas, in which is placed a bar or red P, and the rod is then clamped in position by means of a spring metal clamp Q formed in the shape of a split tube, as shown in Figs. 2 and 9.

In the usual construction of conveyor aprons, the rollers are smooth,one or both being driven, and the apron being driven by the friction of the canvas on the rollers; In

this construction it is necessary that the canvas be drawn taut over the rollers and the shrinkage of the canvas in using it in wet weather or wet grain often makes the device inoperative requiring frequent adjustments, and in this construction if one side is tighter than the other, the canvas will work to one side and therefore bind. In addition to this the tension of such canvas is very great and adds much to the power required to draw the machine. In tests made with a dynamometer this extra power was shown to be about two hundred and fifty pounds draft, while with our device and the loose belts described, nearly all of that power is saved and the draft required for such a binder is reduced from about six hundred pounds to about four hundred pounds when working in the field.

By forming the grooves for the chain a short distance from one end and leaving the plain portions R at the ends, the liability of the straw getting under the edges of the canvas and underthe chains is greatly lessened.

What we claim as our invention is- 1-v In a conveyer, the combination with the frame, rollers journaled therein; longitudinally adjustable bearings forone of the rollers, means for actuating the rollers, a belt on the rollers, and a support for the belt having one end secured in a groove-in one roller and slidingly supported in a groove in the other roller, substantially as described.

2'. The combination with the rollers,sprocket wheels intermediate the ends thereof, the chain or chains and belt, substantially as set forth, of the middle support comprising the bar M, an eye formed at one end engaging a groove in one roller, and the other end supported in a corresponding groove in the other roller, substantially described.

3. In a conveyor, the combination with the shafts or rollers and the belt, of a support for the belt between the shafts, comprising the bar M supported on the shafts and spanning the space between, substantially as described.

4. In a conveyor, the combination with the shafts or rollers and the belt over the same, of a support for the belt between the rollers, comprising the bar M the eye M at one end engaging in a groove in one roller, and having its other end secured in a corresponding groove in the second roller, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we aftix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM E. HILLS. OTTO KROMER. Witnesses:

M. B. ODOGHERTY, J AMES WHITTEMORE. 

